XenServer is based on the Xen Project hypervisor. The Xen Project hypervisor is a bare metal virtualization platform used by XenServer to deliver near native application performance for x86 workloads in an Intel and AMD environment.

XenServer uses CentOS Linux as a foundation.

For the example described here, XenServer is running as a guest within VMware.

Note that guest VM's can not be created/administered from the XenServer dashboard, instead a network client must be used, such as the Windows based XenCenter application.

Tip → The AstLinix ISO installer .iso image is attached as the virtual DVD drive on the XenServer for this example.

XenCenter Configuration:

The Windows based XenCenter application can be downloaded locally from your XenServer via a web browser:

Click on “XenCenter installer” and install on your Windows box, guest VM's can be created and administered using XenCenter.

Launch XenCenter…

Click on “Add New Server” in the toolbar:

Follow the prompts for adding a new server and password management.

Select the server on the left and Click on “New VM” in the toolbar:

Choose “CentOS 7” as the template for AstLinux…

Provide a name “AstLinux” for your VM, and add a description if desired…

The installation media step can be tricky, for some reason XenCenter does not allow an ISO installer to be directly uploaded, as such there are several methods to access the AstLinux ISO installer.

In this example the AstLinux ISO installer is attached on the XenServer DVD drive via the .iso image. Alternatively a network share can host an “ISO Library”, possibly via an additional VM. An internet search will find additional methods.

Nothing more to specifying the Home Server, just click “Next”…

Select 2 virtual CPU's and reduce the memory to 1024 MB…

Click “Properties” if you want to increase the disk size over 10 GB, usually just click “Next”…

Click “Properties” if you want to specify the MAC address, usually just click “Next”…

The next dialog displays a summary of your VM, for this example uncheck “Start the new VM automatically”, then click “Create Now”…

Start your new VM by selecting “AstLinux” on the left, click the “Console” tab, then click “Click here to start it.”…